Thinking of spring and gardening!

 As always at this time of year, I am starting to think about gardening. And so, here I am blogging about garden issues, again.

I recently discovered that, as with most other industries and occupations in Regency Britain, friendly societies and mutual aid societies abounded for the horticultural community. I came first upon the Order of Free Gardeners, begun in Scotland in the mid 1700s. It was set up to resemble the guilds which protected urban professions.

The Order relied heavily on the structure and forms of Freemasonry. Their 'arms' above therefore include the usual square and compass but include a pruning knife. Their object was to support, for a subscription fee, their associates in the gardening trade with insurance, charity, training, and community.

The Order was always more active in Scotland and in the northern counties of England.

Tyne Mercury; Northumberland and Durham and Cumberland Gazette - Tuesday 29 August 1815

 Westmorland Gazette - Saturday 28 August 1824

But the London newspapers also considered their activities noteworthy.

Star (London) - Saturday 28 July 1810

More active in England, it appears, and very numerous were Friendly Florist Societies. 'Florist' did not, at that time, mean retailers of flowers, but rather growers of flowers (though they may have sold them as well). 

Durham Chronicle - Saturday 08 May 1824

Tyne Mercury; Northumberland and Durham and Cumberland Gazette - Tuesday 10 May 1808

These friendly societies were prime presenters of flower shows and displays and bestowed prizes which provide us with the names of these early plant varieties.

Nowadays, horticultural societies abound--I belong to one myself. And they still offer community, instruction and competition. The more things change, the more they stay the same...

'Til next time,

Lesley-Anne

N.B. newspaper articles from the British Newspaper Archive

The Young Phenomena--Juvenile Actors of the early 1800s

 In 1804, a fad, a trend, or a craze--call it what you will--was noted in British theatre. Children were acting adult parts, on stage with adult actors, in adult plays. It must have made for some awkward performances, and uncomfortable scenes

The most notable, creating a stir wherever he went, was William Henry West Betty, or Master Betty, also known as the young Roscius. The original Roscius (d. 62 AD) was a Roman actor of great fame and actors of excellence were (and still may be?) given this 'title'.

illustration from 

"Shakspere to Sheridan; a book about the theatre of yesterday and to-day (1922)"

Master Betty was thirteen at the height of his fame, and made enough money to live a comfortable life for many years.

There were juvenile stars even younger, however.

illustration from Walker's Hibernian Magazine July 1805

Little Miss Mudie was only seven years old. She performed to great acclaim as the Young Norval in Belfast in May 1805, but was later hissed at on stage in a version of The Country Girl. I have not discovered her ultimate fate.

The Monthly Mirror, a journal focusing on theatre matters, published from 1795 to 1811, contained the following article in its May 1805 issue.

It makes one wonder, knowing the difficulties modern child actors have faced in later life, what happened to these youngsters. Of this list, six seem to have disappeared without a trace. Did they live out their lives on the fringes of the theatre or suffer destitution and life on the streets?

 

A luckier few continued to be noticed.

Miss (Catherine) Lee Sugg, the infant Billington and Roscius, remained in the theatre world, and was later in life known as Mrs. Halkett.

The Ormskirk Roscius, Frederic Brown, was also known as Roscius the Second, but had neither the talent nor the skills of Master Betty. He seemed, even with equivocal reviews, set to continue in the theatre.

Master (Nicholas) Mori the young Orpheus, a violinist, was the greatest success story of all. He was a prodigy at eight, and continued to grow in skill as he aged. Held in great respect in adulthood, he held the patronage of three royal Dukes. He became a founder-associate of The Philharmonic Society, and performed throughout his life until his death in 1839.

It is sad to consider that most of the 'prodigies' did not find success. The fad for child actors was short-lived.

'Til next time,

 

Lesley-Anne

Christmas Greetings